It was back in 1966 that 14 champagne cooperatives created the Union Champagne. Their champagnes and vintage champagnes are revealed each year as the house of De Saint-Gall, champagnes that are the fruit of over 2,000 wine growers working hand in hand to bring out rare and diverse champagnes of character. The champagnes of De Saint-Gall enjoy a wealthy supply of exceptional Chardonnay grapes found in the house’s Blanc de Blancs vintages.

This year the winemakers have brought out their 2008 vintage of its Blanc de Blancs line, Orpale, born out of the good earth of the Côte des Blancs with grapes emerging from four Grand Cru villages there, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize and Oger. The champagne has the exceptional gold color of Grand Cru chardonnays and each village imparts upon it a special savor emanating from the chalky earths of the region. The taste is nutty, smoky and intensely rich.

« 2008 was an atypical year. A cool year enabling the grapes to develop an acidity that was more pronounced than usual, » explains Cédric Jacopin, the house’s cellar master, « The champagnes from this year are firmer, clear and sharp. »
©The Gourmet Gazette
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